Bronze Age settlement patterns in Dorgali municipality (Sardinia)

Abstract

This paper discusses settlement patterns in Dorgali municipality during Bronze Age based upon three analyses using the positional values of domestic sites. Different settlement classifications have been obtained by Multivariate Statistical Analysis. Some of our initial hypotheses have been tested through an examination of the differences among the settlements. The sites are always situated in places where territorial control is possible. However, while the location of some settlements enables the territory as a whole to be controlled, other settlements only attempt to control the fertile land, pastures and ways. This hierarchical system with centre and peripheries is found from the Early Bronze Age, as shown by the differences among the protonuraghi.